Gracey - Thank you. =)

The part that always got me about the "wanderers" loving the little kitten so much was that it was so very different from normal feline behaviour, especially feral felines. I've had a LOT of experience with feral felines or "wanderers" or strays all my life. When I was not even 3, we had to move back from the midwest to our home on the East Coast (military family) and mom had to give our cat away. I cried and cried until she promised we'd get a new kitty we we got back to our home. As soon as we crossed into my home state, I started asking about my kitty. We still had hours to go, but Mom says I wouldn't shut up about "my kitty!" lol

When we pulled in the yard, everyone started unloading, but I took off towards the yard yelling "Key-yee!" Of course, Mom came running after and just stopped as across the field came the ugliest, most forlorn looking feline she'd ever seen. "Key-yee" came straight up to me like a long lost friend. Mom had to wash her and treat her for parasites and mange and fleas - just everything, but Mom recognized she was my kitty so she stayed. Wanderers have found me ever since, wherever I live.

I love what you said about strays saying they don't need you or anybody. I pick up that pride a lot from them, too. However, they will deign to eat what I provide, they just make it very plain they don't "have" to. Some even project that they're just being polite (but they "politely" show up every day! lol)

Friends' animals just adore me. Often they've warned me that Fluffy or Fido doesn't like strangers. Obviously, they don't view me as a stranger, though, as I get just swamped with kisses and purrs! Oh, occasionally a very protective animal will stay back suspicious, but I just send that I'm not staying and I'm not interested in taking anything from them and I leave them alone. By the end of the evening, I'm covered in their fur as well. =)

Ferrets are the best, though! I can never stay in a bad mood around ferrets and I miss ours just terribly. A healthy ferret is a exuberant, curious, playful ferret. They just flow with excited curiousity and being right here in the now. They don't worry, they don't fret - just totally carefree and full of love, love, LOVE. Any one who has a lot of time and a lot of energy, but needs lessons in just loving life Right Now, just completely and utterly living and reveling in the present should work with or make friends with ferrets.

Fair warning though, they are absolutely fearless and 1000% curious with about a 2 second attention span, so ferret proofing a house is 10 times harder than baby proofing one! They can and will go *everywhere* and investigate *everything.* Ferrets can squeeze in the smallest areas, love to hide under couch cushions (and can be sat on, so be careful!) and that bright warm moving glowing light in the fireplace just might be a new friend, so don't let them out if you've got a fire going! Having ferrets run around loose is very like having two year olds who can squeeze into the refrigerator motor or find that hole beneath the sink and end up in your walls.

Ooh, oh, that doctor you mentioned. My first instinct on him is that he *is* an empath, most likely just confused and misunderstanding of it. It's probably what drove him into medicine in the first place. However, being drained all day every day he probably just walled himself off which is why he came across as so cold and mean and greedy. It happens pretty often. Since humans are naturally empathic to some degree, when we totally remove ourselves from feeling anything from anyone else, we end up trapped and isolated and it's very easy for our worst natures to arise. Been there, done that, was completely miserable.

It's just absoslutely wonderful that you're waking up and embracing all the wonderful gifts you have! Very inspiring and just awesome! =)

Tracey - oh yes, I love cats and have a lot of cat like traits myself! lol My husband often remarks on how cat like I am or think. We just have a very natural affinity.

I've always had at the very least on cat in my life. At one point, I had 17 who came in and out of the house. We lived way back off a side road off a side road in the country back then and many were just dumped out. However, people would come by and be amazed that the place didn't smell like cats and how well behaved they all were.

My cats have always been welcome to lounge on any surface we do, but never allowed on tables or counters. Since they don't see me sit on those surfaces either, they quite easily agree to the "house rules." However, they take exception to computer desks! I spend so much time sitting at mine that they feel justified in jumping up and laying down on the keyboard or wrist rest whenever they feel I'm being derelict in my worship duties. lol

My handsome fella now came to us as a rescue. A roommate had moved out taking her cat with her and I asked my angel kitty (the one who recently passed) if she wanted a companion. At first, she didn't, but after a while she grew bored being home alone all day. Within a week of picking up that she was bored, we went to a pet store to buy ferret food. Just ferret food. I was not looking to purchase an animal as I don't believe in funding the "mills." There was a sign up for dog adoptions that day, a local rescue shelter had brought in about 10 or 12 dogs to see about new homes. Of course, I had to go see the ones that were left. It was late in the day and they were loading up the empty cages and the last few unadopted ones. Very sad, but we were in an apartment and the dogs left were all big high energy types.

However, on the adoption table was one cage with a cat that I was drawn to. I asked about the kitty and was told that they actually worked with dogs, but this cat had come to them recently and they couldn't say no. Not sure on his story, but they seemed to think someone just threw him out when he got too old to be purchased at a smaller pet store, the type that will take in mutt kittens and sell them while they're still "baby cute." (Do NOT get me started!!!)

He was absolutely gorgeous. Dark tabby with every shade of rust, tan, brown, and black. Long hair without being persian long, beautifully proportioned, just a super model of a cat. When I walked up, he threw his whole body against the cage and just sent such wonderful "vibes." I looked at my husband and he just wryly smiled and pulled out his wallet. Our female looked him over when we came home and just mentally shook her head, but she accepted him. He was soooo un-cat-like at first! lol Later they would spend hours beside each other watching the birds and squirrels outside. I swear she was giving him lessons in being a cat the whole time!

We've shared our home with him for the last 5 years and he is a most unique and good humored individual. The doorbell still sends him under the bed, and he does NOT like strange men (but women are ok, not great, but ok.) He's nearsighted and will freeze when my husband comes home until he hears his voice. Then its love time. Actually, he's perhaps the most loving cat I've ever known. Emotionally needy, but just gives and gives and gives love. I still can't fathom how anyone could have just thrown him away!

Our ferrets used to play with him for hours, running under furniture and sneaking out the other side to nip his tail, taking turns chasing each other down the hallway. I sometimes feel he misses them as much or even more than I do! I think he knew that it was because of those furry little slinky rats that he found us. Oh, and one nickname we lovingly gave him is ferret food! =)

Whoa! Another long post. Sorry! I just can run on about my animal companions just like my kids!